Measuring device.



Patented Feb. I3, I900.

A. JANNEY. MEASURING DEVICE.

(Application filed June 6, 1899.)

(No Model.)

THE Mamas PETERS (10.. PHQTO-L'ITHO WASHINGTON, n. c.

" rrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ABIJAH JANNEY, on MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA:

MEASURING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent Nd. 643,377, dated February 13, 1906. Application filed June 6,1899. Serial No- 719627. (No model.)

To a whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ABIJAH J ANNEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marshalltown, in the county of Marshall, in the State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Measuring Devices, Applicable also for Marking and Cutting; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

This invention comprehends a pair of scissors peculiarly equipped with a tape-measure and marker, the arrangement being such that the marker is in alinement with the midwidth of the opening in the case ofthe measure and both are practically in line with the cutting-blades of the scissors. By this means when measures are to be taken and material cutof a length in excess of the capacity of the tapethe free end of the latter can be held at the starting-point and the scissors and 3 parts moved along the full length of the measure, whereupon the device can'be manipulated to make a mark on the material to furnish a visible point from which to continue the measuring. When the desired length of material has been measuredofi, the scissors, with but slight change, can be operated'to cut as may be required. Thus the scissors are held in about the same position throughout the operation.

The accompanying drawings form apart of this specification and represent what I consider the best .means of carrying out the invention.

Figure 1 is a side view showing a tapemeasure embodying myimprovements. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the device shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 8 is a side view showing the improved device in an inverted position.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

A is the measuring-tape, and A a metal tip thereon serving its ordinary functions.

Bis the drum or reel, turning on a shaft B, subject to the force of a spring 0, which tends to keep it tightly Wound, but yields to allow the tape to be partially or entirely drawn out and firmly held, as before stated, by partially folding to one side.

D is a neat and compact case inclosing the reel and its load, having a slot d for the tape to emerge. This casing is reliably soldered, brazed, welded, or otherwise stiffly joined to a handle G, which may in all respects, except the presence of the casing D and its attachments, be one half of an ordinary pair of blunt-pointed pocket-scissors, G being the ring and G the cutting-blade thereof. H is an additional handle having also the requisite qualities for half of a pair of scissors, H be ing the ring and H the cutting-blade. I is a loose rivet joining these parts and allowing therings G H to-be widely separated, either for working the blades G H for. cutting or for affording a firmer holdand larger leverage in stiffiy supporting the casing D against twisting strains.

J is the fixed portion, and K the adjustable portion, of a pencil-case carrying a lead M, arranged to project a little, but only a little, beyond the blunt point of theblade H The fixed portion J of the pencil-case is soldered, brazed, welded, or otherwise stifily attached to the blade H and stands nearly or exactly parallel to the cutting edge thereof, but so far therefrom that its presence does not interfere with the use of the blades G H as scissors-blades. The handle-rings G H",With the finger and thumb properly inserted, serve Without any change of hold, but only of the twisting and bending of the hand and wrist, to properly hold the case D, allowing the tape to be drawn out and by sharply partially folding to the left to be locked where it emerges from the casing at 01, so that the tension on the tape by the left hand may be much varied without changing the length thereby presented for measuring, and the same rings held by the same hand serve also as holders for the scissors parts to cut and for the pencil-case and pencil-lead to mark.

. Modifications may be made without departing from the principle or sacrificing the ad vantages of the invention. The entire device may be made larger at a sacrifice of the quality of convenient carriage in a small pocket. The fixed portion J of the pencilcase may be drop-forged or otherwise pro duced integral with the parts H H H The case D or a principal part thereof may be made integral with the parts G G G The points of the cutting-blades may be sharp.

Obviously the device with or Without changes in its construction may be used in a variety of positions. Fig. 3 shows it used in very nearly the same manner as Fig. 1, but inverted. This position is preferable when measuring is to be followed by marking without cutting; but in either position the meas- I claim as my inventiona The within-described pair of scissors, one member of which has a tape-measure on the edge side contiguous to the handle, while the other member carries a pencil or marker located longitudinally on the back of its blade to bring it in alinement with the mid-width of the opening in the case of the tape-measure, all arranged for joint operation, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ABIJ AH J ANNEY.

Witnesses:

J. OAMMAOK, JNo. E. WI DMAN. 

